Hard Knocks for the Heat? No need for it

Two of South Florida’s professional teams have opened their doors to the cameras in recent months, abandoning previous counterproductive strategies of secrecy in an attempt to build interest in their teams.

After all, both needed to do something.

The Marlins have created little connection with the local populace over the years, partly because of all the roster chaos.

And the Dolphins? Well, Gov. Scott ought to call for disaster aid.

Still, it didn’t work out that well for either.

The Marlins’ “Showtime” series ended a week early, because the season was such a disaster.

And Hard Knocks? I applaud the Dolphins for trying it. But I’m not sure it had the desired impact. Fans may have enjoyed the inside look but, after getting it, they shouldn’t feel any more enthusiastic or optimistic about the people running the Dolphins or the prospects for this season. Furthermore, HBO focused even more on longshots than in previous Hard Knocks seasons, perhaps because the Dolphins have few household names. So, by spending so much time on the likes of Root and Hogan, the show failed to tell viewers much more about Wake and Bess and Soliai, players who will actually be on the roster this season and who have stories worthy of telling.

What mission, then, was accomplished?

Even so, LeBron James clearly liked it.

He tweeted this last week:

“Man I wish we(NBA) did “Hard Knocks” or some version of it. Love that show.”

The NBA does have a version. It’s called The Association, and last season it featured the Denver Nuggets. It airs on NBATV, which means it is produced by the league, and that means it is edited differently. There’s access, but many of the potentially controversial occurrences are covered from more of a distance.

An HBO-style Hard Knocks — taping training camp — wouldn’t really work in the NBA, because so many contracts are guaranteed and so few spots are up for grabs.

Not that the Heat needs anything like this.

NBA players tend to let the media into their lives more than athletes of their sports. Access is much, much better. When I was covering the Dolphins, I might get a chance to talk to the backup fullback once or twice per week. Covering the Heat, I get a chance to ask LeBron James questions once or twice per day.

Nor is there much mystery about how the Heat operates.

There’s a guy named Pat Riley. He sets the tone, and it flows down from there.